Universal actuating oarlock



22, 1950 I R. R. AGNER 2,519,621

UNIVERSAL ACTUATING OARLOCK Filed June 10, 1948 INVENTOR RALPH RAGNER ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 22, 1950 UNIVERSAL ACTUATING OARLOCK Ralph B. Agner, Burlington, Wis,

Application- June 1-0, 1948, Serial No. 32,075

invention-refers to -oarlock s, and -it has foritsobject to provide an oarlock, which is provided with -,-grippi ng;cheeks, that will firmly secure and lock the blade of an oar, in its proper rowing'yposition, the said cheek pieces being pivotally connectedto the head ofan oscillating spindle, that is mounted in a standard oarlock socket.

The spindle head is also provided with a radially slotted ear, whereby vertical oscillating movement of the cheek pieces, and oar blade is limited, to prevent the samefrom dipping too deep, or raising too high from the water surface. Thus, rendering it quite easy, by those unskilled in the rowing art, and also eliminating the danger of catching a crab, resulting in some instances, in capsizing the boat.

With the above and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts, substantially as hereinafter described, and more particularly defined by the appended claims, it being understood that such changes in the precise embodiment of the herein disclosed invention may be made as come within the scope of the claim.

In the accompanying drawings is illustrated one complete example of the physical embodiment of the present invention constructed according to the best mode so far devised for the practical application of the In the drawings:

Figure 1 represents a central elevation of the gunwale of a boat and oar equipped with an oarlock embodying the features of my invention, the section being indicated by line l--| of Figure 2.

Figure 2, a cross section of the same, the section being indicated by line 2--2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3, a plan sectional view, the section being indicated by line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4, a detailed cross sectional plan view through the oarlock, the section being indicated by line 4-4 of Figure 1.

principles thereof.

Figure 5, another cross sectional view through I the oarlock, the section being indicated by line 5--5 of Figure 1.

Figure 6, a fragmentary cross sectional view through the upper portion of the car clamping cheek pieces, associated with a standard alumi- 1 Claim. (01. 9 4.6);

Referring by characters to the drawings, A

indicates the gunwale of a standard boat, having secured thereto an oarlock socket B, also of standardtype.

Mounted in the socket 'B- is a spindle I, terminating at its upper end with an apertured head 2, which head is provided with a centrally positioned ear 3, the same being formed with an arcuate slot 3', above the center of the head aperture. A standard oar C has fitted thereto a pair of bowed cheek pieces 4-4, provided with transversely disposed ribs 4', that extend inwardly and are adapted to sink into the outer surface of the oar, whereby the same is prevented from rotating within the cheek pieces.

The lower ends of the cheek pieces 4 are provided with depending heels 5. The heels 5 are provided with a lower pair of apertures 6' and a pair of upper apertures 8'. The lower pair of apertures 6' rotatably receive flanged bushings 6 and said bushings are nested in the head aperture, with their ends in a butting engagement. The bushing and associated cheek piece heels, are secured within the head 2, by a pivot bolt I, as best indicated in Figures 1, 2 and 5 of the drawings.

The upper pairof the aligned apertures 8' of the cheek piece heels 5 receive a bolt 8, which bolt passes through the slot 3' in the head ear 3 and serves not only to clamp the cheek pieces, to the oar, but also serves to limit the vertical oscillation of the oar, as indicated in dotted lines, Figure 1.

The upper ends of the cheek pieces 4, are provided with spaced aperture lips 5' and said lip apertures are fitted with a clamping bolt 8', whereby in conjunction with the bolt 8, the said cheeks are firmly clamped to the car C, with their ribs embedded therein to prevent rotation of the oar.

From the foregoing description it is manifest that the car and associated cheek pieces, will rock back and forth, upon the bushing 6, and due to the butting engagement of said bushing, the pivot joint will not exert friction upon the parts, which should oscillate freely.

parent that the movement of the blade of an car, not shown, is limited as to its depth in sinking in the water and also as to its elevation, in raising from the water line and this limitation is due to the bolt 8 engaging the ends of the ear slot 3'. Hence, when the oar blade is dipped into the water, upon a rowing stroke, the oarlock will swivel in the ordinary manner, back and, forth,

Referring to Figure 6 of the drawing, I have illustrated the cheek pieces, having channels 4" therein which channels engage projecting ribs 9 of a standard aluminum oar C, whereby said oar is held against twisting in the jaws of the cheek pieces. It should also be noted the clamping bolt 8, is adapted to take up wear, in the event the pivot connection of the cheek pieces should become worn.

Figure '7 illustrates the spindle-head 2', having directly pivoted thereto, the cheek pieces 4 and a clamping bolt 8" for squeezing the cheek pieces to the ore.

I claim:

An oarlock comprising a spindle, a rectangular head extending from the spindle having a pivot aperture therein, a comparatively thin ear extending from the head having an arcuate slot therein, a pair of oar gripping cheek pieces having transversely disposed inner ribs, apertured clampingv lips extending from the upper portion of the cheek pieces, a downwardly inclined heel,

extending from each cheek piece having a pair of upper aligned apertures and a pair of lower aligned apertures therein, a bolt mounted in the 2 upper pair of heel apertures extending through 4 the arcuate slot of the ear, and a second bolt extending through the cheek lips, whereby the ribs thereof are adapted to clampingly engage an car, a pair of flange bushings extending through the lower pair of cheek heel apertures and the pivot aperture of the head, and a confining bolt extending through the bushings, whereby the cheek heels are pivotally mounted upon the spindle head to permit free swing of the same where the cheek pieces swing under frictional engagement of the head ear, the swing of said check pieces being limited by the ear slot.

RALPH R. AGNER.

REFERENCES CITED Thefollowing references are of record in the file of this'patentt' UNITED STATES PATENTS 

